Lens Repair: How to Take Scratches off Digital Camera Lens

Removing scratches from your digital camera lens is the hardest lens repair
to successfully accomplish. However, there are several do-it-yourself
methods available. Some people report success using these methods, and
some people do not. The only safe way to fix a scratch on your camera
lens is to have the lens replaced. The cost of replacing a lens may be
more than what the digital camera is worth, so keep that in mind. It is
unlikely that a scratched lens would be covered in a basic digital
camera warranty, but it is worth a shot to call the manufacturer of
your digital camera just to make sure.

Rubbing Alcohol Method

Using a digital camera lens cleaning solution and a microfiber
cloth, clean the lens and dry it off. Do not apply the lens cleaning
solution directly to the lens itself. You will need a 3.5% solution of
rubbing alcohol for this method. The rubbing alcohol will need to be
diluted, so mix 20 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. Take a brand
new microfiber cloth and dip it in the diluted rubbing alcohol. Using a
very gentle motion, rub the microfiber cloth into the scratch. If this
method works, you will begin to see the scratch disappear. Once the
scratch is fully gone, take another brand new microfiber lens and dry
and buff the entire digital camera lens.

Scratch Repair Kit Method

Companies sell scratch repair kits to use on digital camera lens.
There are many scratch repair kits available on the market today, so
make sure to spend some time researching them to ensure that they will
be safe to use on your lens. If you have an old camera laying around
that you are no longer using, it wouldn't hurt to test the scratch
repair kit on that lens to ensure that it will not have any harmful
effects.

Vaseline Method

Using a digital camera lens cleaning solution and a microfiber
cloth, clean the lens and dry it off. Do not apply the lens cleaning
solution directly to the lens itself. Place some Vaseline on your
finger and fill the entire scratch with it. Using a brand new
microfiber cloth, very gently wipe the Vaseline off. You do not want to
press too hard, as this may cause the Vaseline to sink inside of the
scratch. If this method does work for you, the Vaseline will eventually
rub off, so be prepared to use this method again.

Pencil Eraser Method

Using a digital camera lens cleaning solution and a microfiber
cloth, clean the lens and dry it off. Do not apply the lens cleaning
solution directly to the lens itself. You will need a soft, clean, and
unused pencil eraser for this method. Using the eraser, very lightly
move it over the scratch. You should move the eraser in the long
direction of the scratch. Keeping rubbing the pencil eraser until the
scratch disappears.